Chargers QB Philip Rivers cracks the top 5 rankings for Week 5. (Getty)
They were the top 2 picks in the 2015 NFL Draft after squaring off in a semifinal of the inaugural College Football Playoff last season.
They, of course, are Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Winston went No. 1 overall to Tampa Bay, while Mariota was second to Tennessee. Both have been his team’s starter since Day 1. But they have seen different degrees of success in their young careers.
Let’s take a look at the stats:
Marcus Mariota — 61-for-97 (62.9%); 833 yards; 8 TDs; 2 interceptions; 278 yards per game
Jameis Winston — 73-for-133 (54.9%); 965 yards; 6 TDs; 7 interceptions; 241 yards per game
Obviously, we can see Mariota is having the better season, and it’s not even really comparable. And I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Especially for fantasy football purposes.
Mariota has shown much more poise and has built great rapport with WR Kendall Wright and TE Delanie Walker. The Titans are putting Mariota in situations where he can succeed and he’s taking advantage of them.
Winston, on the other hand, has failed to get on the same page with his receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. He’s connected with Evans on just 10 of 28 attempts and Jackson 19 of 35. Winston is missing TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but he should be returning from a shoulder injury soon.
Winston has been head-scratchingly erratic and forces too many throws. He’ll improve, but he’s not knocking on the door of QB1 status as Mariota is.
Remember to bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings so you know you who to start and who to sit each week.
Bye weeks: Dolphins, Panthers, Vikings, Jets
Here are my top 25 quarterback rankings for Week 5:
1. Tom Brady, Patriots, at Cowboys
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers, vs. Rams
3. Carson Palmer, Cardinals, at Lions
4. Philip Rivers, Chargers, vs. Steelers
5. Matt Ryan, Falcons, vs. Redskins
6. Peyton Manning, Broncos, at Raiders
7. Eli Manning, Giants, vs. 49ers
8. Russell Wilson, Seahawks, at Bengals
9. Drew Brees, Saints, at Eagles
**10. Andrew Luck, Colts, vs. Texans — LUCK IS OUT FOR WEEK 5
11. Andy Dalton, Bengals, vs. Seahawks
12. Sam Bradford, Eagles, vs. Saints
13. Marcus Mariota, Titans, vs. Bills
14. Joe Flacco, Ravens, vs. Browns
15. Alex Smith, Chiefs, vs. Bears
16. Matthew Stafford, Lions, vs. Cardinals
17. Tyrod Taylor, Bills, at Titans
18. Jay Cutler, Bears, at Chiefs
19. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers, at Giants
20. Derek Carr, Raiders, vs. Broncos
21. Kirk Cousins, Redskins, at Falcons
22. Ryan Mallet, Texans, at Colts
23. Josh McCown, Browns, at Ravens
24. Nick Foles, Rams, at Packers
25. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers, vs. Jaguars
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